A black vulture cleaning its head on a tree branch
MONTGOMERY-One of the more distinguishing characteristics of both turkey and black vultures is the lack of feathers on the head. Since a vulture may thrust its head into a carcass when feeding, a feathered head would quickly get matted and impossible to clean. Having no feathers makes cleanup easier, often aided by tree branch rubbing. Vultures also defecate on their feet. This is believed to help keep them cooler in the warm months and a way to kill potential harmful bacteria they may pick up when feeding. Vultures are very interesting creatures for sure!
BLACK VULTURE
Photo Credit: Dwayne Davis
The Scientific name is Coragyps atratus. Also goes by buzzard, carrion crow, Charleston eagle.
The black vulture is a relatively large bird with a length of 22 to 24 inches. The wingspan is approximately four-and-a-half feet. It is primarily black with a white patch near each wing tip. The head is bare and grayish in color. Compared to the turkey vulture, it has a short tail. When in flight, it flaps its shorter and rounder wings more often and more rapidly than the turkey vulture.
The black vulture is common throughout all of Alabama. It is more or less a resident from Texas and Arkansas north and east to New Jersey (rarely to Massachusetts and Maine) and south to Florida. It is also found in the American tropics.
Black vultures can be found in open country, but they breed in light woodlands and thickets. Black vultures are scavengers, and feed primarily on carrion (rotting meat). They also take weak, sick, or unprotected young birds and mammals. They are smaller but more aggressive than the turkey vulture and will drive the latter from a carcass. Both species are often found perched in trees, on fence posts, and on the ground; or flying overhead, especially on windy days, taking advantage of thermals or updrafts. Unlike turkey vultures, black vultures lack well-developed olfactory senses and rely on their vision rather than smell to help them locate a carcass. Often they will follow turkey vultures from the roost and take over a carcass which the turkey vultures have located by smell.
Chas Moore, Wildlife Biologist
TURKEY VULTURE
Photo Credit: Dave Cagnolatti & Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation http://www.weeksbay.org/
The Scientific name for a Turkey Vulture is Cathartes aura. Also know as Buzzard, John Crow, Carrion Crow.
Turkey vultures are large birds with brownish-black feathers. When on the ground, they resemble a wild turkey from a distance, hence the name turkey vulture. Adults have a red featherless head and light red legs and feet. Juvenile turkey vultures usually have a black head and may be confused with black vultures from a distance. Turkey vultures have a long, light red beak with a tan tip. Healthy adults may be 25 to 32 inches long with up to six foot wingspans and weigh up to six pounds. In flight, the leading edge of the underside of the wing appears dark brown or black with the rest of the wing appearing gray or white. On the ground, turkey vultures can often be seen standing with wings spread. This pose helps to warm the body, dry off the wings, and “bake” off any bacteria that may remain on the head or feathers.
Turkey vultures are the most widespread of the New World vultures and occur throughout the United States, southern Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America. In the United States, turkey vultures migrate in large groups from their northern range to the southern United States, Mexico or Central and South America during the winter. They occur year round in the southeastern United States, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.
Turkey vultures can be found in a variety of habitats. They prefer open areas, but are found along coastlines, rivers, lakes, deserts, plains, and inland forests. Turkey vultures are primarily scavengers readily feeding on carcasses of dead animals, including road kill and dead fish that have washed up on the banks of rivers, ponds or lakes, but will sometimes feed on plant matter and small insects and rodents. Turkey vultures are unusual among birds in that they have a highly developed sense of smell. This sense of smell and very keen eyesight enable them to find food rather easily. Turkey vultures can often be seen circling on patches of warm rising air, called thermals. From aloft, they glide across the sky searching for food. Turkey vultures are very efficient flyers and can glide for hours without flapping their wings.
Kevin Pugh, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Medai Releae/Outdoor Alabama News
